DHM210. Battle of the Somme, the Attack of the Ulster Division by J.P. Beadle.

A classic art print of the Ulster Division advancing into the German trenches during the Battle of the Somme. The officer shown leading the unit is Lt Francis Bodenham Thornley. During the Battle of the Somme he was wounded while serving with B company Royal Irish Rifles and while recuperating he was given the job to advise J P Beadle on the painting. In the painting the troops are shown with the SMLE Rifle which is fitted with the No. 1 Mk 1 pattern Sword bayonet. Also shown in the painting is a soldier carrying a Battalion marker, which is used to show the Battalions progress. The troops shown are of the 5th battalion Royal Irish Rifles (North Belfast Volunteers) a supporting unit to the 108th Infantry Brigade.

Assault in the vicinity of Thiepval by the Ulster division-1st July 1916. The 11th Royal Irish Rifles, moving forward from the A line of trenches, and moving forward to attack the B line of trenches, the attacking infantry are preceded by Bombers - seen carryng grenades in green canvas buckets - who are engaged in throwing grenades in anticipation of the rifle company assault on the enemy trenches; an activity barely changed since the days of Marlborough. The rifle companies are armed with the Lee Enfield SMLE - a superb rifle, though expensive to make. The advance is made with bayonets fixed, as trench clearing involved numerous hand to hand confrontations and bayonet fights. The rifle companies are supported by two Lewis gun teams per company. Note that visible in the painting is a man carrying an orange painted steel marker, painted on one side only. The markers are to to indicate to British artillery observers as to the most forward positions taken by the British advance. Naturally, one does not present the orange side to the enemy!

Signed limited edition of 1150 prints.

Image size 18 inches x 12 inches (46cm x 31cm)

Website Price: £ 70.00

To purchase these prints individually at their normal retail price would cost £150.00 . By buying them together in this special pack, you save £80